Extract

Introduction & rationale

Millions of women and children suffer illness or injury every year because their fundamental human rights have been denied. The Human Rights Council resolution A/HRC/27/L.19/Rev.1 recognized the interrelation between human rights, empowerment, and prevention of maternal mortality and morbidity.

Action

The FIGO Committee for Women’s Sexual and Reproductive Rights has developed between 2010-2012 a generic medical school curriculum to integrate the teaching of women’s health and human rights, adaptable to local and national standards, health policies, laws and international obligations. The goal was to educate future doctors to practice in such a way that Women’s Rights and Reproductive Healthcare become inseparable. An outline document was drafted describing 10 universal human rights and the healthcare competencies that are necessary to ensure them in the course of daily medical practice. Each statement of rights was accompanied by a case study, references to relevant medical, ethical and legal literature and followed by a list of specific discussion questions. A final document, dissemination plans and timetable were approved by the FIGO Executive Board in June 2011.

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